Sunday, October 04, 2015

Anchorage FINALLY has a law protecting LGBT people. And it only took six years.

Anchorage’s new law adding discrimination protections for gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual people is now officially on the books, with Anchorage Assembly Chair Dick Traini signing the legislation Friday morning in a brief ceremony at City Hall.

The Assembly passed the law in a 9-2 vote just before midnight Tuesday. Normally, the chair signs legislation with little fanfare, Traini said. But he said he wanted to have a ceremony to give the law’s supporters closure.

Traini signed the law with Assembly member Elvi Gray-Jackson at his side. About two dozen onlookers cheered as he handed out the pens he used to sign the measure.

“It’s been a long road,” Traini told the room after the signing. “And this will help a lot of people in Anchorage who have been discriminated against. So hopefully we’ve sealed that. And we’ll just move on.”

Man has this been a long time coming.

Some of you long time IM visitors may remember the Summer of Hate back in 2009 when Jerry Prevo had Fundamentalist Christians from the Valley bused in to argue against the ordinance. Resulting in some rather angry confrontations.

Despite the best efforts of Prevo and his religious homophobes, that ordinance passed.

However Anchorage's newly elected mayor, Dan Sullivan, promptly vetoed it which put us back at square one.

Now with a new mayor in place we can finally provide protection to some of our most vulnerable citizens.

I never rooted so hard for a bear in my life! Stupid woman sprays tear gas in it;s face then breaks the sound barrier with her high pitched voice. Hey, bear, sounds like there;s a snack for all your trouble.

Speaking of Alaska, I read this Daily Beast story and thought about Sarah Palin.

Daily Beast:HP EMPLOYEES WON’T GIVE CARLY FIORINA A DIME

The employees at Hewlett-Packard, where Carly Fiorina was CEO for six years, don’t seem interested in seeing their old boss become commander-in-chief.

Of the 302,000 employees at the company, not one has given a reportable amount to help Fiorina fund her 2016 presidential campaign, according to the campaign’s most recent FEC filings, which lists all donations over $200. HP’s corporate leadership also doesn’t seem keen on the idea of Fiorina in the White House. Among the 12-member board of directors, just one, Ann Livermore, has given a donation above that threshold.

Join ARWC in welcoming Amanda Coyne, Speechwriter and Senior Advisor to US Senator Dan Sullivan! Amanda will be speaking on her political journey & working for the Senator. Reserve your spot online or RSVP by Wednesday, October 7 by contacting Carolyn at (907) 243-2000 or email arwcyes@yahoo.com."

Congratulations, Anchorage, for finally winning equal treatment for our LGBT brothers and sisters! I followed the battle in 2009 closely, watching the council meetings on line and chatting over at Mudflats. It was so distressing to watch the "testimony" of those RWNJs who don't even live in the city trying to influence the council. The red-shirt players were so reprehensible and persistent I'm incredibly glad that they've finally been defeated. And thank goodness for no Dan Sullivan to veto the law this time. Bravo, Anchorage, Bravo!

About Me

This blog is dedicated to finding the truth, exposing the lies, and holding our politicians and leaders accountable when they fall far short of the promises that they have made to both my fellow Alaskans and the American people.